MEDIA ADVISORY

News from Victory Christian Church

For more information contact: Charles Muller, 518-857-0726

'Put It Down' Shop-Back Gun Program A Huge Success

ANNOUNCING "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" GUN CAMPAIGN

ALBANY, NY (07/24/2008; 1900)(readMedia)-- Special events will be held this weekend to raise awareness of two new gun programs that will impact the City of Albany. These events will include free food, drinks, sno-cones, a clothing giveaway, bouncy-bounce, prizes, artwork, basketball shoot-out, pie contest and more. The events are sponsored by the Albany District Attorney's Office and Pastor Charlie Muller of Victory Christian Church.

Recently, Pastor Charlie began the "Put It Down" Shop-Back Gun Program by giving a $150 Crossgates Mall gift card for every hand gun turned in. In just 38 days, the "Put it Down" gun program has collected 45 hand guns.

Just targeting the troubled areas of the city, the church has already had to turn away at least a dozen guns due to lack of funding. District Attorney David Soares has partnered with Pastor Charlie to help in make Albany a safer place to live.

The first event will be held Friday from 5:00 - 8:00pm at Livingston Park, located at the corner of LIvingston Avenue and N. Lake Drive in Albany.

The second event will be held Saturday from 5:00-8:00pm at Elizabeth Street Park on Elizabeth Street, the south end of Albany.

Pastor Charlie has since been contacted to bring his program to Troy and will be working with Rev. Willie Bacote to retrieve the guns off the streets of Troy. He believes the success of these programs is due to the shopping cards and because of the trust he has gained in the city over the years through his feeding program.